Proposed Aviation Security Authority Never Established Despite Recommendations
Translated & summarized from Israel Hayom by baba
Two past committees recommended establishing a state authority for aviation security to consolidate responsibility, but the body was never created. The Ministry of Transportation supports the idea but states it requires a government decision, while also noting its own limitations in intelligence gathering for foreign flights. The issue has resurfaced following an aviation incident and ongoing disputes over responsibility.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- A proposed state authority for aviation security was never established despite recommendations.
- Responsibility for foreign flight security is currently fragmented among multiple bodies.
- The Ministry of Transportation supports a consolidating body but says government approval is needed.
- The Ministry of Transportation claims it lacks intelligence capabilities for flight crew background checks.
- A State Comptroller's report also previously called for a comprehensive review of aviation security.
- The Ministry of Transportation disputes claims about recent transfers of responsibility for foreign flights.
Despite a recent aviation incident involving Flydubai, it has come to light that a solution to prevent responsibility fragmentation among various bodies was proposed but never implemented. The Ministry of Transportation revealed that two past committees, led by the National Security Council (NSC), recommended establishing a state authority for aviation security to oversee all flights. However, this authority was never created.
The Ministry of Transportation stated its support for such a consolidating body, noting that its establishment and the regulation of its powers and resources require a government decision. This issue gains significance as responsibility for foreign flight security is currently divided among the Ministry of Transportation, airlines, origin country authorities, and Israeli security agencies, with no single state body possessing the complete picture.
The need for a comprehensive oversight body is not new. A State Comptroller's report on international aviation security had previously recommended that the NSC, in conjunction with the Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Finance, Israel Airports Authority, Shin Bet, and police, examine the entire civilian international aviation security system. The Comptroller recommended presenting proposals for regulating responsibility and resource allocation to the Prime Minister and Cabinet to ensure a "comprehensive view." In response, the Cabinet decided in May 2024 to form a team led by the NSC to review the aviation security system and propose changes.
Despite these efforts, the idea of a unified state body has not materialized. The Ministry of Transportation, while asserting its long-standing responsibility for foreign flight security arrangements since 1977, also stated it lacks the intelligence capabilities for background checks on flight crews and passengers. The Ministry claims its work relies on threat assessments from security bodies and origin country regulations. This highlights the core issue: with information, authority, and capabilities dispersed, it is unclear who is responsible for consolidating all necessary data before a flight arrives in Israel.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Transportation has refuted a report claiming responsibility for foreign flights was transferred to it recently without implementation. The Ministry insists the document in question pertains to chartered flights operated by Israeli companies, not foreign airlines. They maintain their responsibility for foreign flight security arrangements has been in place since 1977. A change initiated in 2021 concerned chartered flights, with the Shin Bet continuing to handle high-risk flights. The Ministry agreed to assume responsibility for non-Shin Bet secured chartered flights starting in early 2026, contingent on budget and staffing. The Ministry accused foreign entities of intentionally spreading "fake news and lies."